Memorial Day is in our rear view mirror and summer is officially here. This week there was no doubt regarding the arrival of summer. The days were long, the boat landing was full and it was very hot. So hot, that I began fishing very early in the morning. Getting an early start lets me avoid the heat and the crowds. Dawn is often cool, calm and quiet. It is also a great time to catch fish, especially trout.
During the spring, most of the trout were near structure and submerged ledges in 10 to 15 feet of water. This week, they were mostly in shallow water near submerged oyster bars. The combination of calm mornings and trout holding in shallow water are perfect for top water fishing. Zara Spook Juniors and Z-Man StreakZ in mullet colors (dark back with light bottom) have been producing crushing strikes.
Before sunrise, the Zara Spook Junior is hard to beat. A rapid, almost skittering retrieve with a short pause was the retrieve the fish seemed to want. Most of the strikes came during the pause. Once the sun was up, switching to the StreakZ (which works just below the surface) would extend the morning trout bite. If you can’t make it out before sunrise, you may wish to try top water fishing at dusk. Typically, the afternoon sea breeze stops shortly after sunset and the water gets glass calm. During the evening sessions, I begin with the StreakZ and then switch to the Zara Spook as it gets dark.
Top water strikes are explosive. It is amazing how much water is displaced when a fish hits the lure. One thing I have learned is to delay setting the hook until I feel the weight of the fish. This serves two purposes. The first is a higher hook up ratio. The second is when the fish misses the lure (which happens a lot) the lure is still in the area for a follow up strike. I strongly encourage you to get out and give low light top water fishing a try. It is great fun and a highly productive fishing method.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at captaingreg@shallowwatercharters.com or (843) 224-0099.
Saltwater Report for Charleston
Sheepshead: Good to very good. Although a lot of small fish, have been numerous around bridges and jetties and are more than willing to take a fiddler crab. Reports of Spanish mackerel schooling up in the mornings around Castle Pinckney, as well as along the tideline just outside the jetties.
Folly Beach Pier reports that some whiting and bluefish in the 1-2 pound range have been picked up off the pier, and a few black drum. Occasional kings and Spanish are being caught, and a few sea trout have also been landed.
Freshwater report for the Santee Cooper System
Catfish: Fair. Captain Jim Glenn reports that recent day time drift fishing has produced some nice blue cats in the early part of the day, but it’s still not on par with what is expected right now. Cut white perch has been the bait of choice. Crappie: Good. Captain Steve English reports that they are catching some good stringers of crappie in the lower lake around brushpiles 15-30 feet deep. Both minnows and jigs are working.